Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Audio Recording Principles

Now, that you understand what great audio sounds like, this section will provide the knowledge to get you ready to record. To start, here are four simple principles you should consider:

  1. Listen carefully. As we mentioned above, distracting and noisy backgrounds can ruin a great audio recording. Before recording, listen carefully to the noise in the room and do whatever you can to eliminate those sounds while recording. This can mean turning off electrical appliances, shutting a window, changing rooms, or muffling the noise with something that will absorb the unwanted sound. If you can’t relieve a constant noise in your recording environment, like a fan for instance, try recording the room tone for 30 seconds before speaking. This will capture just the noise in the background. Some audio software options can capture this noise and give you the option to remove it from the recording.
  2. Distance from the mic. The closer you are to the mic, the more it will capture your voice. The rule of thumb is 4 fingers away from the mic, or 6 -12 inches. Do a test recording to find the right distance and the right speaking volume.
  3. Get Cozy. It sounds silly, but one of the best places to record great audio is in a closet. Or, any room that will absorb noise with soft wall coverings. Rooms with hard walls, concrete, or empty space will cause sound to bounce around and sound thin, making it hard to hear your voice clearly.
  4. Use voice-over. When you start to do a recording, sometimes the room is too noisy, your voice just isn’t working, or it feels strange to hear yourself recorded for the first time. No problem. Use these circumstances to your advantage by perfecting your content, scripting and practising the right pace and flow for your voiceover. It can take time and practice to find your “voice” for recording and presentation. Once you are comfortable and you have control of the sound in your environment, try recording!

Pro Tip: Record a few seconds of audio then stop and listen to it. Do you like how it sounds? Is it loud enough? Are there any distracting noises? Make necessary adjustments before recording your full session.